For over 20 years they toured in Sgt Pepper’s Only Dart Board Band and last year this renowned Beatles tribute decided to hang up the wigs, but soon found a new project which has instantly become a smash hit success in theatres around the UK. On Saturday 1st April, they play a special concert at The Winter Gardens Ventnor as The Unravelling Wilburys.
Fans of George Harrison, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison and Bob Dylan will recall when these 5 rock legends teamed up in the late 80’s and released 2 albums under the assumed name of The Traveling Wilburys. Big hits like ‘Handle With Care’ and ‘The End of the Line’ have resurfaced at recent Tom Petty and Jeff Lynn concerts, reminding the world of this extraordinary super-group.
The Unravelling Wilburys is a celebration of these 2 albums and includes some of the very best of their solo hits like ‘Pretty Woman’, ‘Mr Tambourine Man’, ‘All Those Years Ago’, ‘The Waiting’ and ‘Mr Blue Sky’.
Martin Dimery, who appears in the band, has long Isle of Wight connections. In the 1980’s he worked as a drama teacher at Medina High School and was involved in many shows at the Medina Theatre. He also hit national headlines when asked to play Frank Spencer at the old Prince Consort Theatre in Ryde in a stage version of the TV series “Some Mother’s Do ‘Ave ‘Em” written by Ryde’s own Raymond Allen. He then went on to become a performer, writer and director having moved to Frome, Somerset, where he still lives.
3 years ago Martin and his wife Anne decided to buy a small holiday property on the Island, where they now spend much of their spare time.
“I have performed my solo show ‘Shakespeare Rattle and Roll’ in the Isle of Wight Literature Festival – and also in the Ventnor Fringe. Both were highly enjoyable experiences and encouraged me to persuade The Unravelling Wilburys to give it a go. Ventnor Winter Gardens is a venue with huge potential, so we’re really looking forward to the show.
“The performance features a lot of comedy as we pose as the original Wilbury brothers from Tennessee- from whom we claim the Traveling Wilburys (allegedly) stole their act. It’s much more a celebration of these great performers and their songs than simply a tribute”.
Tickets for The Unravelling Wilburys are available from www.ventnorwintergardens.com or the box office 01983 857757.
